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WHAT ARE THE SIX STAGES?
Description of the Six Stages of Understanding and Dealing with Racism (+ axis)
The Six Stages Framework is a psychological tool that is designed to assess where individual people or organisations are in their journey towards understanding and dealing with the complexities of individual and systemic racism, whether that is conscious or unconscious, overt or covert: direct or indirect
Stage +1: Unaware, silence and denial
This stage is characterised by having a lack of awareness of racial equity and diversity issues, often presenting as ignorance or being oblivious or ethnocentric. It is characterised by silence or denial of such issues, perhaps by keeping one’s head down, hoping a whole conversation will end, or finding ways to divert from a particular topic to other subjects that seem safer.
Stage +2: Dismissive and avoidant
People at this stage are aware of issues of race, however they are often dismissive of these issues and often believe that racial inequity and social injustice is not such a big issue. There is denial (and avoidance) that racial and social injustice is an issue, and an opinion that there are far more important inequalities and injustices in the world. This is what they tell themselves and others. The denial and discomfort that arises results in avoidance/resistance/anger and shifting attention to other issues that feel more manageable and tolerable.
They are more comfortable talking about gender issues and disability and will always point to other inequalities rather than racism.
At stage +2 people are avoidant of facing race issues; this distinguishes them from the person at stage +1 who is oblivious and ignorant.
Stage +3: Becoming aware of issues of race
At this stage, people are becoming aware of differences and of racism. They begin to question their original stance at Stages +1 and +2. They recognise that there is inequity and racism, but do not understand why, or what they can do about it. They express discomfort about talking about racial differences and racism and feel overwhelmed by the issues. They often express a sense of helplessness, guilt and even shame, and they just want to make everything be okay for everyone.
Stage +4: Open to learning
People at this stage are open to learning and having meaningful conversations about race, including challenging perceptions and biases. They are genuinely willing to listen, learn and re-educate themselves, and may seek out literature on the experiences and testimonials of black people and other ethnic minority groups. They reflect and readily engage in conversations about social, racial injustice and racism and will explore (and own) any unconscious bias they have,
Stage +5: Ability to see the bigger picture
This stage features an ability to reflect and genuinely engage in conversations and with the issues of social/racial injustice and racism, whereby people start to see the bigger picture around race. They are able to explore and own their unconscious bias, white privilege or other positions of power informed by the reading and education gained in Stage +4. They are keen to explore their role as an ally and how they can make a difference.
Stage +6: Leadership qualities
People at this stage are able to take on leadership roles in promoting racial equity, inclusion and social justice. They may join together with others to challenge social injustice and racism, possibly through community engagement, or through a desire to work with others towards a greater cause with the understanding that there is more that unites us than separates us. They understand that racism is about power and systems and focus their energies on supporting change in this area. They will speak up when necessary and challenge racism or perceptions of racism when others are afraid to. They are clear about allyship and their role.
What are your first thoughts about these stages? (e.g. have you seen these stages occurring in others? Are they accurate?) The model is not linear but fluid and dynamic.
Where do you think you are on this stages/ journey?
SUMMARY OF THE SIX STAGES of Understanding and Dealing with Racism (+ve and -ve axis) are as follows:
Stage – 6: Extremists/leadership
Strong racist views and work to champion them to others and recruit others to join them.
Stage – 5: Entrenched views and behaviours
Exhibit strong racist views and enjoy sharing them with others.
Stage – 4: Anger and blaming of ethnic minorities
Likely to attack and reject the views of those who are different. Extreme ways of thinking and behaving.
Stage – 3: Attacking and rejecting
Resenting time spent on race, display of outrage whilst projecting one’s own racism onto others
Stage – 2: Dismissive and avoidant
Dismissive of issues of race, pretending that racial and social injustice do not exist
Stage – 1: Unaware, silence and denial
Lack of awareness, Ignorance, oblivious, silence and denial
Stage + 1: Unaware, silence and denial
Lack of awareness, Ignorance, oblivious, silence and denial
Stage + 2: Dismissive and avoidant
Dismissive of issues of race, pretending that racial and social injustice do not exist
Stage + 3: Becoming aware of issues of race
Becoming more aware of differences and racism, and questioning. Recognise inequity and racism but do not understand why or what they can do about it.
Stage + 4: Open to learning
Open to learning and having meaningful conversations- challenging one’s perceptions
Stage + 5: Ability to see the bigger picture
Ability to reflect and genuinely engage. Starting to see the bigger picture around race- paradigm shift
Stage + 6: Leadership qualities
Ability to take on a leadership role in promoting racial equity and social justice. Joining with others for the greater good and for the sake of Humanity.
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The Six Stages Framework website
